Resources for Senior Residents Highlighted at Summit 55+ Meeting

What does a 40-year-old know about aging? Councilmember Chris Taylor began the Summit 55+ community meeting by telling the audience of about 100 that he understood if that’s what they were thinking.  

But, as the primary caregiver for his great-grandmother for many years, he understands the challenges for those who are “one of the most important constituents in Virginia Beach,” Taylor said. He hosted the meeting that addressed issues, City programs and services and provided light refreshments on March 29 at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library Auditorium.   

Special guests included Mayor Bobby Dyer, who said that community connections are very important for fighting the isolation, loneliness and depression that are concerns for many seniors who live in the city regarded as the “most caring.” 

“You define who Virginia Beach is … with great resolve and determination to help each other,” he said. 

The Mayor’s Commission on Aging, which Dyer described as “near and dear to my heart,” was formed in 1971 with the mission to “proactively advocate for and engage with the Virginia Beach older adult community.” 

It creates the Senior Housing and Resource Guide and presents quarterly educational forums, as well as the annual Senior Showcase, a free event to connect seniors with resources, that will be held 9 a.m. to noon, May 29, at the Princess Anne Recreation Center. Register online now. 

Councilmember Barbara Henley explained the origins of the Senior Resource Center, which began 16 years ago as the result of an article and materials from AARP. In partnership with the City, the center provides seniors with free activities, special programs and a newsletter from its location in the former Creeds Library. As a nonprofit organization run by volunteers, the center also is an opportunity for seniors to stay involved and share their time and talents. 

Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb and his staff said that assaults on seniors are on the rise along with an increase in the number of seniors who are incarcerated, leading to an increased need to address health problems in the correctional center.  

Holcomb said that they have gotten reports of residents getting calls demanding immediate payment for missing jury duty. He advised seniors that no Virginia Beach Sheriff or Police officer will ever call to ask for money. If you get a call claiming to be from the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, call (757) 385-8446 to verify or call the non-emergency public safety number, (757) 385-5000. Other safety measures and defensive tactics are taught at the Senior Safety Seminar, which was first held this year on March 4, and may be scheduled by calling Capt. Nick Curtis at (757) 385-7975. 

Describing an “epidemic of loneliness” among seniors, Kelly Lee with the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health explained the Aging in Place Pilot Program with the Virginia Beach Fire Department and Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services. 

Funded through a federal grant, the program aims to reduce reliance on 911 and the number of falls by outreach and connecting patients with care and resources. 

Other senior resources highlighted at the community meeting include: 

• Adult Protective Services of Virginia Beach Human Services 
  • Call with concerns, questions, (757) 385-3550, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The State Hotline, 1-888-832-3858, receives calls after hours. 

• Tax relief for seniors, disabled, veterans and line of duty surviving spouses from Commissioner of the Revenue, (757) 385-4251. 
• Wellness Checks are available by calling the public safety nonemergency number, (757) 385-5000.